Madison County’s 10,320 Blue Grass Energy Cooperative customers could see a 9.01 percent increase on their monthly bills if a recent request is approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
This would be the first increase in 25 years for Richmond and Nicholasville Blue Grass Energy customers if passed, said Magen Howard, communications advisor for Blue Grass Energy Cooperative.
Blue Grass Energy officially filed the request for a rate increase with the Kentucky Public Service Commission on March 31, which was about a six-month process, Howard said.
“It’s a mixed bag of reasons,” Howard said. “The cost of doing business has gone up in the past 25 years. Some of our customers have not seen an increase since 1983.”
About 1,000 people attended a June 17 annual meeting at the Madison County Fairgrounds where Dan Brewer, Blue Grass Energy’s chief executive officer, spoke on the difficult future of the electric utility industry, rising costs and impending legislation that will drive costs higher.
“It is time for us to collectively assume a greater responsibility in the discussion of this issue,” Brewer said. “We need you — our members — to help us start a conversation with the political decision makers and elected officials in Washington, D.C. We need your help in asking our elected officials the tough questions and requiring straight answers.”
The bill Brewer is referring to, known as the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, would create a national cap-and-trade scheme for greenhouse gas emissions, in which polluters would mostly be allocated right-to-emit credits based on how much greenhouse gas they currently emit.
The cap would get tighter over time, until by 2050, emissions would be reduced to 63 percent below 2005 levels. Several environmental groups express their encouragement at the progress in legislation on the global warming issue while at the same time expressing disappointment that the bill doesn't reduce emissions enough, according to reports from the L.A. Times and marketwatch.com.
“This is just a money grab,” said Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy (that provides electric and/or gas services to residents and commercial/industrial corporations in Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina) in a June 1 article in the Washington Post. “Only the Mafia could create an organization that would skim money off the top the way this legislation would skim money off the top.”
“I don’t think the bill will be passed in 2008,” Howard said. “I think it’s something that’s going to happen with the new (U.S.) president.”
Aside from keeping an eye on the bill’s progress in the Senate, Blue Grass Energy Cooperative representatives are still trying to provide the most reasonably priced services for their customers.
The corporation borrows funding from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC).
“Without loans from RUS and CFC, our rates would be much higher,” Brewer said. “We have done our best to operate efficiently and avoid a rate increase for as long as possible. But as the costs of material and fuel continue to rise, and as environmental regulations become more and more stringent, we must have more revenue to continue the quality service you deserve.”
Jody Hughes, chairman of the Blue Grass Energy Board of Directors, reported that Blue Grass Energy is not immune to these challenges.
“What else do you use on a day-to-day basis that hasn’t increased in cost in 25 years,” Hughes said. “I dare say not.”
But even as costs continue to increase, Blue Grass Energy will stand by its members, which are the most important part of the cooperative, Hughes said.
“As we head into a rate increase, we at Blue Grass Energy will do everything we can to help you keep your costs as low as possible,” Hughes said. “Remember, we don’t need to make a profit for investors. Our main interest is serving our members.”
Blue Grass Energy offers several ways to help customers pay their bills including AutoPay, Levelized Budget Billing and Simple Savings. More information on these plans can be found by visiting www.bgenergy.com.
The Blue Grass Energy Co-op is a non-profit electric cooperative that serves more than 54,000 members/homeowners in 23 central and north Kentucky counties.
A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Blue Grass Energy is headquartered in Nicholasvlle and has district office in Richmond, Cynthiana and Lawrenceburg.
Anyone who has questions about the possible rate increases or would like more information about Blue Grass Energy can visit www.bgenergy.com or call the Richmond office at 623-1582.
Local News
Blue Grass Energy rates could rise
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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